To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 8624 Ferguson Road in Dallas, Texas, as the "Francisco `Pancho' Medrano Post Office Building".

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Mr. Tom Davis and the ranking member, Henry Waxman, of the House Government Reform Committee and also the gentleman from Georgia, Mr. Westmoreland, and the ranking member, Mr. Danny Davis, for moving this important legislation through the committee. This resolution has been endorsed by every single Member from the Texas delegation.

Francisco ``Pancho'' Medrano played an integral part in bringing Hispanics into the cultural and social mainstream in Dallas. He was a leader to his community in the struggle against discrimination.

The son of a Mexican laborer, Pancho Medrano was born in Dallas in 1920. In his youth, in 1952, he was heavyweight boxing champion of Mexico, and grew up as a community activist in the fight for social and economic equality.

He grew up in an area of Dallas called Little Mexico and he encountered much prejudice and segregation. But he never was considered violent. As a young man, he was banned from public swimming pools and all of the other things, and frequently said that he didn't see that he should be any different from any other black American because he was treated the same way.

At the beginning of World War II, when unions began to form in the Dallas area, he was inspired by the political conditions around him. He was captivated by the political agenda of the United Auto Workers and he was then named by Walter Reuther to be organizer of the UAW Union in Dallas. His work had an immeasurable impact on the lives of thousands of working women and minorities.

In 1960, when television began to change the visibility of the American civil rights movement, the UAW president commissioned him to be an international representative for civil rights. So he participated in all the landmark marches with Martin Luther King. He was probably one of the only Mexican Americans in the Montgomery boycott and in Selma along with Dr. King.

He continued his organizing throughout the country, including Chicago, Detroit, Indianapolis, California and Arizona. He worked to help repeal the poll tax in 1964, and he really spoke all the time about understanding the struggle of all of the African Americans, because he fought the same battle for all.

He was a father of five. Pancho, Jr., had preceded him in death. He died in 2002 but continued to be active up to his death. His only daughter, Pauline, is a member of the city council, his son Robert has been, and his son Ricardo has been on the school board.

It is important I think for all young people to know that we have had leadership that came along and made things better for them and did not have to be violent. He was always a gentleman, but never silent when it came to rights.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Chairman Tom Davis and Ranking Member Henry Waxman of the House Government Reform Committee for their leadership on moving this important resolution through the committee and to the House floor for its consideration today.

``Pancho'' Medrano played an integral part in bringing Hispanics into the cultural and social mainstream in Dallas.

He was a leader to his community in the struggle against discrimination.

The son of a Mexican laborer, Pancho Medrano was born in Dallas in 1920.

Pancho Medrano, who in his youth was the 1952 Heavyweight Boxing Champion of Mexico, grew up to be a community activist in the fight for social and economic equality.

Growing up in the Little Mexico area of Dallas, Medrano encountered prejudice and segregation. As a young man, he was banned from the public swimming pool as well as banned from watching movies within the public park in Little Mexico.

Medrano attended St. Ann's Catholic School and Dallas public schools through the eighth grade. At the beginning of 9th grade, his high school principal told him he could no longer attend classes and directed him to go to work at the local rock quarry.

While working at the quarry, Medrano trained to become a riveter and eventually went to work at the North American Aviation Company. There were few skilled minority workers at the plant, and the majority of white workers refused to work with Medrano. Conditions at the plant were even worse for African Americans, as nearly all of them were assigned to cleaning restrooms. Medrano was surrounded by an environment where everything, even the punch clocks, were segregated.

At the beginning of World War II, unions began forming in the Dallas area.

Inspired by the political conditions around him Medrano was captivated by the political agenda of the United Auto Workers, in particular the motto that there shall be no discrimination based upon race, color, or creed, and sex.

Medrano played a key part in organizing the UAW union in Dallas.

His work made an immeasurable impact in the lives of thousands of working women and minorities.

In 1960, when television began to change the visibility of the American Civil Rights Movement, UAW President, Walter Reuther, commissioned Medrano as a special UAW International Representative for Civil Rights.

Medrano went on to participate in virtually all of the landmark events of the civil rights movement.

Mr. Medrano integrated lunch counters in Dallas, and took part in civil rights marches in the Deep South.

He organized demonstrations in Dallas and was involved in the integration in Little Rock.

Often times there were no Mexican-Americans organizing these civil rights demonstrations. Medrano played a key part in organizing and energizing the Mexican-American community throughout the South.

Medrano participated as one of the only Mexican-Americans in the Montgomery Bus Boycott.

He also marched in Selma along with Dr. King.

He continued his organizing throughout the country including: Chicago, Detroit, Indianapolis, California and Arizona.

In addition, he organized farm workers in the Texas Valley alongside civil rights leader Cesar Chavez.

In 1967, Texas Rangers broke up a peaceful protest where Medrano and five women attempted to picket a train carrying melons picked by non- union workers. The protest in Mission, Texas, was part of a year-long effort by farm workers.

During this time, Medrano and others were subjected to persistent harassment and violence from law enforcement officers for their union- organizing protests. Medrano sued the Ranger who broke up the protest. He took his case all the way to the Supreme Court--overturning the Texas laws that barred mass demonstrations.

Medrano worked with the UAW to help repeal the poll tax in 1964. Mr. Medrano said, ``I could understand the struggle of black people because my people were experiencing the same sort of thing.'' Medrano was driven to fight for economic and social justice for all individuals-- Hispanics, Blacks, Women, and others.

Mr. Medrano's work to end discrimination and prejudice has had a profound and lasting effect on myself and on the lives of millions of Americans.

We must all work to carry on his remarkable legacy.

Even when he retired in Dallas, Medrano continued to be an active member of UAW Local 848's retiree group.

Mr. Medrano passed away in April of 2002.

In addition to his daughter, Pauline, he is survived by three sons, Robert, Ricardo, and Rolando.

There are many young people who may not know of, or did not experience Mr. Medrano's battle towards equality. It is imperative we recognize and celebrate our civil rights leaders as a nation. Honoring leaders such as Pancho Medrano teaches our young people about the leaders who came before them--and hopefully gives a new generation the inspiration to fight for change.

I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 4561, to name the postal facility at Ferguson Road in Dallas, Texas in honor of Pancho Medrano.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, June 14, 2006, at 10 a.m., to mark up S. 418 ``Military Personnel Financial Services Protection Act,'' as amended by the committee print; S. 811 ``Abraham Lincoln Commemorative Coin Act,'' and to vote on the nominations of Ms. Sheila C. Bair, of Kansas, to be a member and chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation; Ms. Kathleen L. Casey, of Virginia, to be a member of the Securities and Exchange Commission; Mr. Robert M. Couch, of Alabama, to be President of the Government National Mortgage Association; Mr. Donald L. Kohn, of Virginia, to be vice chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System; and Mr. James B. Lockhart III, of Connecticut, to be the Director of the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight. Immediately following the mark up, the committee will meet in open session to conduct a hearing on ``FASB's Proposed Standard on `Employers' Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans.' ''

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on June 14, 2006, at 2:30 p.m., to conduct a hearing on ``Extension of HUD's Mark-to-Market Program.''

Mr. President, I would like to ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Environment and Public Works be authorized to hold an oversight hearing on Wednesday, June 14, 2006, at 9:30 a.m. to consider whether potential liability deters abandoned hard rock mine clean up.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs be authorized to meet on Wednesday, June 14, 2006, at 10 a.m. for a business meeting to consider pending committee business.

Agenda

Legislation

1. S. 2145, Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Act of 2005;

2. S. 1554, a bill to establish an intergovernmental grant program to identify and develop homeland security information, equipment, capabilities, technologies, and services to further the homeland security of the United States and to address the homeland security needs of Federal, State, and local governments;

3. S. 1741, Disaster Area Health and Environmental Monitoring Act;

4. S. 1838, Federal and District of Columbia Real Property Act of 2005;

5. S. 2068, a bill to preserve existing judgeships on the Superior Court of the District of Columbia;

6. S. 2146, a bill to extend relocation expenses test programs for Federal employees;

7. S. 2296, Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Latin Americans of Japanese Descent Act;

8. H.R. 3508, 2005 District of Columbia Omnibus Authorization Act.

Post Office Naming Bills

1. S. 2228/H.R. 4456, a bill to designate the facility of the U.S. Postal Service located at 2404 Race Street in Jonesboro, Arkansas, as the ``Hattie W. Caraway Station;''

2. S. 2376/H.R. 3934, a bill to designate the facility of the U.S. Postal Service located at 80 Killian Road in Massapequa, New York, as the ``Gerard A. Fiorenza Post Office Building;''

3. S. 2722, a bill to designate the facility of the U.S. Postal Service located at 170 East Main Street in Patchogue, New York, as the ``Lieutenant Michael P. Murphy Post Office Building;

4. H.R. 4108, a bill to designate the facility of the U.S. Postal Service located at 3000 Homewood Avenue in Baltimore, Maryland, as the ``State Senator Verda Welcome and Dr. Henry Welcome Post Office Building;''

5. H.R. 3440, a bill to designate the facility of the U.S. Postal Service located at 100 Avenida RL Rodriguez in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, as the ``Dr. Jose Celso Barbosa Post Office Building;''

6. H.R. 4786, a bill to designate the facility of the U.S. Postal Service located at 535 Wood Street in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, as the ``H. Gordon Payrow Post Office Building;''

7. H.R. 4561, a bill to designate the facility of the U.S. Postal Service located at 8624 Ferguson Road in Dallas, Texas, as the ``Franciso `Pancho' Medrano Post Office Building;''

8. H.R. 4688, a bill to designate the facility of the U.S. Postal Service located at 1 Boyden Street in Badin, North Carolina, as the ``Mayor John Thompson `Tom' Garrison Memorial Post Office;''

9. H.R. 4995, a bill to designate the facility of the U.S. Postal Service located at 7 Columbus Avenue in Tuckahoe, New York, as the ``Ronald Bucca Post Office;''

10. H.R. 3549, a bill to designate the facility of the U.S. Postal Service located at 210 West 3rd Avenue in Warren, Pennsylvania, as the ``William F. Clinger Jr. Post Office Building;''

11. H.R. 2977, a bill to designate the facility of the U.S. Postal Service located at 306 2nd Avenue in Brockway, Montana, as the ``Paul Kasten Post Office Building;''

12. S. 2690, a bill to designate the facility of the U.S. Postal Service located at 8801 Sudley Road in Manassas, Virginia, as the ``Harry J. Parrish Post Office;''

13. S. 3187, a bill to designate the Post Office located at 5755 Post Road, East Greenwich, Rhode Island, as the ``Richard L. Cevoli Post Office;''

14. H.R. 5245, a bill to designate the facility of the U.S. Postal Service located at 1 Marble Street in Fair Haven, Vermont, as the ``Matthew Lyon Post Office Building.''

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Indian Affairs be authorized to meet on Wednesday, June 14, 2006, at 9:30 a.m. in Room 485 of the Russell Senate Office Building to conduct a hearing on S. 374, the Tribal Parity Act and S. 1535, the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Equitable Compensation Amendments Act of 2005.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate Committee on the Judiciary be authorized to meet to conduct a hearing on ``Judicial Nominations'' on Wednesday, June 14, 2006, at 9:30 a.m. in Dirksen Senate Office Building Room 226.

Witness list:

Panel I: The Honorable F. James Sensenbrenner, Jr. and The Honorable William Kovacic, Commissioner, Federal Trade Commission, Washington,

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Select Committee on Intelligence be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on June 14, 2006, at 2:30 p.m. to hold a closed business meeting.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation Subcommittee on Technology, Innovation, and Competitiveness be authorized to meet on Wednesday, June 14, 2006, at 10 a.m. on Alternative Energy Technologies.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4561) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 8624 Ferguson Road in Dallas, Texas, as the ``Francisco `Pancho' Medrano Post Office Building''.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4561, offered by the distinguished gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson). This bill would designate the postal facility in Dallas, Texas, as the Francisco ``Pancho'' Medrano Post Office Building.

Francisco ``Pancho'' Medrano was a driving force in bringing the Hispanic culture into the City of Dallas and working to eliminate discrimination. Medrano was an activist and a hero with Dallas' Hispanic communities and promoted the importance of civic responsibility and political participation.

Mr. Medrano is well-known for his years of union and civil rights work with the United Auto Workers. During his years with the UAW, he integrated lunch counters in Dallas, took part in civil rights marches in the Deep South and organized farm workers in the Texas valley. However, his work was

not just confined to the UAW. He participated in numerous equality campaigns in Mississippi, Arkansas and Texas.

I urge all Members to honor the perseverance of this honorable civil rights leader by passing H.R. 4561.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support the passage of H.R. 4561.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the naming of a United States Postal Facility in Dallas, Texas as the ``Francisco `Pancho' Medrano Post Office Building.'' Pancho Medrano was the embodiment of the civil rights movement for the Hispanic community in Dallas. He was a decisive leader in encouraging Hispanics to actively participate in the political process in Dallas. Mr. Medrano brought Hispanics into the city's mainstream community and mentored a generation of Dallas political leaders. His operational base centered in Little Mexico, an enclave immediately north of downtown Dallas. In this neighborhood where he was banned from swimming in the public pool as a child, he raised a family whose name became synonymous with civic life.

Not only was he a strong civil rights leader, but along the way, he became a very talented and successful heavyweight prize fighter.

Today Pancho Medrano would be most proud of his family's achievements. One of his sons was a Dallas ISD school board member. Another was selected to serve on the Dallas City Council and Dallas/ Fort Worth International Airport Board. Additionally, his daughter, Pauline Medrano, was recently elected to the Dallas City Council, representing the area that has long been home for the Medrano family. She proudly carries on the legacy of leadership and passion to serve the community. I will continue to work with her locally to better our great city.

Therefore, it is with distinction that I recognize the designation of the United States Postal Facility located at 8624 Ferguson Road in Dallas, Texas as the ``Francisco `Pancho' Medrano Post Office Building.'' I ask that all of my fellow colleagues support H.R. 4561.

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield such time as she may consume to the author of this resolution, the Honorable Eddie Bernice Johnson from Texas.

(Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mr. Speaker, just to close, I strongly rise in support of this postal facility naming for Mr. Frances Pancho Medrano, who was an outstanding community activist. I think it is the kind of people that he

was who really make America and have made America what it ought to be, and so I strongly support this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.